Flashing ambilight issue when 3D gaming on my PS3

Hi everyone, hope you can help.

I've just purchased a new TV - 42PFL7606H/12 Ambilight TV and it appears to have a fault.

When playing games on my PS3 (new slim 320gb model) in 3D mode, the ambilight intermittently flashes much like a camera flash, both white and purple. This happens even when I switch off the ambilight mode. I have tried 2 games and have had the same problem on each - Uncharted 3 and Killzone 3. It is very off putting.

I have experienced no issues when playing games in 2D, ambilight works fine whilst switched on, no flashing. In 2D mode ambilight stay off when switched off.

I have experienced no issues when watching a 3D Bluray (Toy Story 3) through the same PS3.

The same problem occurs when it is through ports HDMI1 and HDMI2, I have also tried it with 2 different HDMI cables both high speed (1.3 & 1.4).

The software version in the TV is Q5551-0.10.94.1 - I know this is not the updated version I guess that is something else I will have to try. I also own another PS3, an 80gb fat model, I intend to try that aswell.

Any help anyone can give me would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

I got the exactly same problem.
My system: Philips 42PFL7606K/02, also updated to the newest firmware.
Tried the 3D Mode with Games on my own PS3 and also tried it with an Xbox360 and another PS3 of a friend. and the ambilight flashes no matter what i do, even when it's turned off.
The PS3 firmwares are 3.66 and 3.72, so it is neither based on the game systems nor the relating firmware of the PS3.
I am now considering to return this tv to buy instead a system with a... well functioning hardware / firmware...

tried with my 80gb fat PS3 - no different

Hi all,

Just to let you know I have played the 3D Games using my 80GB "Fat" PS3 and the issue is still there. Its really causing me stress. These TV's are not cheap and to find it wont play 3D games correctly is very disappointing to say the least.

I myself also contacted amazon to return my screen as I were still within 30-days guarantee time and the courier fetched it today.
I also got to know of another acquaintance suffering from the same issue.
Today I were having a look in a local media store for alternative screens. They also had a PS3 for tryout, so I tried 2 screens there. the 32pfl7606 and the 42pfl7906. The 32pfl7606 seemed to work fine.
Surprisingly, the 42pfl7906 showed a similar problem. The ambilight was also flashing white when playing the GT5 on the demonstrational PS3, but at least, when the ambilight was switched off, it didin't continue with the white flashes. (This was also the main reason of me to return the 42pfl7606... flashing lights with turned of ambilight was a no-go for me.)
What surprised me about the ambilight problem was also, that the 42pfl7906 also had firmware 14.084 installed.... though, the problem also appeared on my 42pfl7606 while having the older 10.94 firmware installed. The 32pfl7606 also had the 10.94 firmware and didn't show any problems.

As the problem only appeared when playing 3D Games but not while playing 3D Bluray movies, i figure that the problem's source must be based on the synchronization of the image signal with the television. This could also be the reason why it's flashing at arbitrary moments every now and then. Yet, I of course can't tell if it's a hardware- or firmware based issue :/
Just hope that there will be a solution at some date (or that it simply disappeared in further productions) as I really would like to enjoy a screen with ambilight.

Thanks for the update Dyna

That could prove useful as I am considering the 42PFL7666T from John Lewis once my refund comes from Pixmania. Now I'm not sure if this issue is common across the entire Philips range.

There are 55million PS3's out there - It must be the most common 3D blu-ray player on the market surely Philips have sold many thousands of these TV sets to PS3 owners If this issue was that common you would think there would be lots of people adding their experiences to this thread.

Please let me know which model you decide to get next and if it works for 3D gameing with ambilight - I will do the same.

I do feel that Philips should also join this conversation as there technical expertise could be vital to any purchases we both make.

@ MrEdd:
My Condolence regarding your situation.
I really hope the issue can be solved somehow and that it's hopefully based on a firmware issue and not on a bad mass-production of the hdmi signal synchronization.
Just wonder why philips told me on the phone that they don't know about this issue, regarding this thread.
Interestingly though, all philips tv models i know about having this issue are part of the 7000 series. So, the chance that it's a problem based on a bad firmware isn't impossible.

Also i really hope that after this long time, a technician of philips will finally realize the thread and take care of this issue....
My fiancé really would like me to get an ambilight screen again, but as long as this issue is not solved there is no way I can buy this product :/ (Can't spend about 1000€ on a buggy system.)

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